The Ministry of Education has deducted grants for eight secondary schools in Labasa that failed to comply with the school zoning system, it was revealed.

The schools are Bulileka Sanatan College, Labasa Sangam (SKM) College, Labasa College, Batinikama Secondary School, Shiri Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Holy Family Secondary School, Labasa Muslim College and All Saints Secondary School.

Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Mahendra Reddy made the revelation after the manager of Waidamudamu Sanatan Dharam Primary School, Deewan Chand raised his concern about the zoning system.

This was during the Northern School Management Association meeting at Labasa College hall on Wednesday.

Mr Chand informed Mr Reddy that some students were taking advantage of the free bus fare scheme.

“Children from Sarava in Labasa attend Naduna Arya Pathshala Primary School, instead of attending our nearest school and children that are supposed to attend Naduna Arya Pathshala Primary School are going to Shiri Guru Nanak Primary School,” Mr Chand said.

“The students roll in my school had decreased this year and I am very concerned,” he said.

In response, Mr Reddy said that he had been advising the head teachers and principals to follow the school zoning policy since 2015.

“We have noted that many of them are not listening to us. Recently, we collected data. And from Labasa, there are eight schools that did not comply with the school zoning policy,” Mr Reddy said.

“What we are doing now is firstly, we are issuing a warning letter to the head of schools who did not adhere to this policy.

“Secondly, we have deducted a fraction of the school grant for 2016 Term Three which is 33 per cent of the total grant.

“These grants will be given to other schools such as in Udu Point for much needed projects.

“The reason we have done this is to serve as a warning so that from next year the policy is followed,” he added.

When contacted for a comment on Wednesday, managers from these schools; Labasa Sangam SKM College, Holy Family Secondary School and Labasa Muslim College declined to comment, saying that they were not present at the meeting.

Shiri Guru Nanak Khalsa College manager, Charan Jeath Singh, told Fiji Sun he would react after he  received a letter from the Ministry of Education.

All Saints Secondary School treasurer, Jone Anu, who attended the meeting on behalf of the manager also declined to comment.

Labasa College principal Kamlesh Prasad said the school did not have a manager and he could not make a comment on the issue.

Batinikama Secondary School manager, Deo Raj and Bulileka Sanatan College manager, Jai Narayan jointly agreed with Mr Reddy’s decision.

“I agree with the school zoning policy as this will bring back the students that left our school to study in urban schools,” Mr Raj said.

“We have accepted three students outside our zone and perhaps from next year our student roll might increase to 20 or 30.

“I accept the changes brought forth by Mr Reddy and will take heed of his warning from next year,” he added.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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